Remind them to never leave cooking unattended. Check out safe-t-element® to help prevent cooking fires before they start.

Install microwave sensors. Check out safe-t-sensor™ which shuts the microwave off at the first sign of smoke.

Look for fire sprinklers in residence hall. Sprinkler equipment needs to be free of any obstructions. Playing with Frisbees, footballs, etc. in the hallways is not allowed because sprinkler heads can be damaged and activated. Students can be held liable for damages to life or property caused by tampering with fire and life safety systems.

Look for smoke detectors in bedrooms, hallways and common areas.

Look for fire alarm horns and strobes to notify your student should they activate. Ask to see fire alarm and sprinkler testing records. They should be within the last year at a minimum.

Remind your student to never remove the battery from the smoke alarm.

Tell your student to leave each time the alarm goes off. Students must evacuate when the fire alarm sounds. Very few alarms are caused by equipment
mal-function; therefore every alarm must be taken seriously.

Talk to them about all the risks associated with alcohol, smoking and fires

Obtain renters insurance to cover personal items should there be a fire

Review all the fire safety regulations in the contract they signed with housing.

Contact the local fire department and ask them about incidents they have had on campus and off. Talk to your student about them.

Give them a flashlight to use should the power go off and remind them not to use candles. Candles are not permitted – unlit or lighted. Candles can burn low and the flame can ignite plastic, wood, cloth, carpet, curtains - anything that can burn. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Purchase a new power strip/ surge protector and plug it directly into the outlet – not another strip. www.trci.net

Sit down and take a fire safety test with your son or daughter this summer. Knowledge + preparation = Safer Lives: www.nifast.org.